Think of a Hot Zaddy as an apple cider hot toddy. This is the perfect warm seasonal cocktail to cozy up with your special somebody (aka zaddy) on a cold winter night.
Ingredients include: warm apple cider, lemon juice, cinnamon, honey, bourbon and fresh slices of apples and lemons. This is the perfect warm seasonal cocktail to cozy up with your special somebody (aka zaddy) on a cold winter night.
So the other day I went to go look up what the word zaddy meant. Sad right? I had a general idea of what it meant but I was watching tv and heard it used in a few different contexts and got confused. So I decided to do a little research just to make sure I was using it right. That’s when you know your old age is kicking in.
I, of course, went to urban dictionary to see their thoughts but I really loved the definition from jezebel that says: A zaddy is a guy you look at and think, zamn, zaddy… Immediately, you know in your heart who’s not a zaddy. It’s an instinctual response that’s not worth explaining in depth because you’re supposed to just feel it. The subject is not merely conventionally “hot”—he’s a zaddy …
I read that definition and immediately it all became crystal clear. A zaddy is a hot guy you want to cozy up to and call daddy (wink wink – you can draw your own conclusions from there). After all that all I knew is I wanted to cozy up to cocktail so I thought, what would a drink look like that made me say ZAMN ZADDY?! LOL. It would have to warm to the point of steaming, spicy with a little kick, and it would have to look sexy, I mean drop-dead gorgeous.
From there I jumped in the kitchen and got to work. My favorite seasonal cocktail is a hot toddy so I thought I’d do a twist on it by adding piping hot apple cider with fresh cinnamon, honey, lemon juice and fresh sliced apples and don’t forget the bourbon.
I took a sip and melted, “this is it!” I can’t think of a better translation. Move over Hot Toddy, the Hot Zaddy is in town. Doesn’t it sound like it should be a drink anyway? I’m definitely trying to make this a thing. So when you all go out ask for Hot Zaddy and coach the bartender on how to make it.
But if you want to make it at home it’s a few simple ingredients with big flavor and finesse. This simple cocktail is perfect to warm up to on a cold night and will definitely be on regular rotation from November through December. I hope you agree. Enjoy!
@meikoandthedish #meikoandthedish.
Recipe Video
What is zaddy?
Zaddy is a noun for a man who is handsome, fashionable, and sexy with a swag.
What is a Hot Toddy?
Hot toddy, aka hot whiskey, is an alcoholic cocktail made of liquor, water, herbs, spices, and honey. It is served hot, typically in wet or cold weather.
Is Hot Toddy good for a cold?
Made with whiskey, an effective decongestant, hot toddy helps to clear up cold. Honey in the cocktail soothes a sore throat, and lemon offer Vitamin C to reduce phlegm.
What type of bourbon to use for apple cider hot toddy?
Any good whiskey, Bulleit Rye or Wiser’s, will do. You can also use dark rum or brandy.
What food goes with a hot toddy?
Apple cider hot toddy is best served with buttery pastries, carrot ginger soups, chocolate truffle bombs, or instant pot glühwein.
More Warm Winter Cocktails
Hot Zaddy
Ingredients
- 1 cup hot apple cider, divided
- 4 oz bourbon or whiskey , divided
- 2 tablespoon honey, divided
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, divided
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Garnish
- 1 slice apple, I used Fiji
- 1 slice lemon
Instructions
- Divide hot apple cider, whiskey, honey and lemon juice into two mugs and stir until honey is dissolved. Grate a pinch of fresh cinnamon over the top then add the cinnamon stick to the beverage.
- Garnish with fresh apple and lemon slices and serve immediately.
